Condemned 2: Bloodshot

Whoever said beating the crap out of bums wasn't fun, obviously didn't play Condemned 2, because if they did, they sure as hell would take that back. The return of not so secret anymore agent Ethan Thomas is one marred with alcoholism, messed up dudes, and yeah, kicking the living crap out of any and all those would dare to stand in his way. Developer Monolith has once again shown that they still have the touch to scare gamers to death, and that they've learnt a trick or two along the way; whether that's good or bad for gamers, is anyone guess, but rest assured this is one game that isn't your Sunday stroll through the park. A game that not only delves into the downright disgustingly gruesome, but attempts to test the cranial abilities of gamers, Condemned 2 promises an experience unlike no other, and does it right, even if it does lose a bit of its lustre half way through.

If there was a quote that easily depicts our protagonist, you bet it would be censored, but that wont stop Ethan Thomas from uncovering the truth behind the recent string of suspicious events occurring city wide. It's been a while since we last left him, consumed by alcohol and fighting personal demons, Ethan has probably seen better days, well at least the bags under his eyes make one think so. When a man with close connections to him ends up disappearing, Ethan is once again pulled back into the fray to help solve this problem, heck you might even get to see an old face, one that you won't be glad to get acquainted with again. Deceit and hidden secrets run amuck along the way, as Ethan gradually uncovers the truth about his past, and his place in the world, even if he himself is not all sure of what's going on. While it feels like the story is a bit too convenient, Monolith does have an interest take on myths and rumours of secret society; it wont compel you to go out and buy some books on the subject, but it will sure as hell make you want clean someone's clock, if you know what I mean.

The original Condemned was a different experience for most players, a melee combat FPS game that indeed helped to stress the horrid nature of the world that the protagonist was set it in. The sequel attempts to bring that another level, introducing things like combos, were depending on the order of punches you could potentially do greater damage; more weapons, and surprisingly even guns make their way into this game, even though they aren't as useful as one would imagine. While beating the snot out of someone is still fun as hell, having to take two on is just ball breaking, especially when you have to deal with enemies that are far smaller than you and can come out from any direction. This might seem like a rather trivial thing to nitpick on but when two guys are punching you at the same time and you're cornered into a wall, your temper is probably going to flare, and well the rest is best not mentioned. That doesn't detract from you're overall experience of the game, but at the same time it would have been ideal if the developers could have included some combos that could have dealt with more than one enemy.

With that being said, there are other things to the gameplay, such as these CSI themed investigation sequences, which you are tasked to figure out; stuff like being able to identify the exit or entry wound of blood by examining splotches of it a wall or floor is great in all, if you know what you're talking about. Half the time I was shaking my head because I had no idea how to tackle these kind of things, granted someone with greater knowledge – or someone who just watches a lot of CSI – would do well, specially since these heavily influence your rating at the end of the round. All in all though it does add a rather interesting element to the game, even if at times you're asking yourself if you should be focusing on that instead of making sure that some maniac with an axe isn't running up behind you to make quick work out of you. Stuff like that gives the game feel, it puts the player on edge, and really makes you feel uncomfortable; situations become more intense as time goes by, especially when some random freak pops out of nowhere and scares the living crap out of you.

Ah yes the environments, who could forget about those? While I would be tempted to say that Condemned 2 hit the nail on the head with what it brought in terms of that, it fell off track in the later parts of the game, when the game shifts from being a pure blood bath of bashing in bad people's faces, to blowing up people's faces with guns. It's disheartening to see something that made the game so great get tossed aside, as it directly effects the environments; no longer are you moving through ghettos, trudging through the worst locals, and attempting solve a local issue, as the game's story takes a turn for something unexpected. Truthfully, it was rather difficult to play some parts in the old buildings, as the creaks and cracks of the floors, the blood, moreover the complete silence and howling presence of the wind really made game feel as if it was waiting for you to make your next move so it could respond, which overall does chill you down to the bone. The latter parts of the game, give the feeling as if it really doesn't belong with the previous parts of it and the game losses a lot of what made it great in the first place. While you wont say that it outright sucks, it will make you pause for a moment and postulate on the pacing of the game and wonder were it all went.

Integral to the environments has to be the presentation, which is great. The graphics, while not being anything mind blowing, does do the job; it's able to present a grimy and crummy world filled darkness, not faltering one bit as it has steady framerate, and does well within the context of the world. This of course is accompanied by superb sound design and voice acting that really do the game justice; punching someone's face with a bare fist sounds downright gruesome, but you are compelled to do it again and again, because dang, it never felt so good. The game does shine through these and for the most part it does stand out on all fronts as something that sets out to do what it accomplished. Replay value comes through the form of unlockables and achievement points, and it does sport an online game mode, that although is a nice addition, really is nothing to go on about. For the most part, Condemned 2 is a chilling and bloody experience that no gamer should miss, and while it isn't a particularly long game, you'll be satisfied with your purchase as this game does the trick for you. If it's a scare you want, or hankering to bash some faces in, or your desire to prove that anyone can overcome alcoholism, or maybe you're just looking for a game to play, then you wont go wrong with picking up Condemned 2.